There is a legendary
story about the folksinger Woody Guthrie.Woody once told the
spokeswoman for a group that he would need $25 for a
benefit performance. The woman said, "But it's a good
cause, Mr. Guthrie" and he said "Lady, I don't sing
for bad causes."

Peter has been practicing law for
more than 30 years. He does not
represent many bad causes, but he still needs
to get paid for his efforts representing good guys.There are occasions where,
because of the social or political implications of the
case, he charges a highly discounted rate, handles a
case on a contingent basis even though a contingent
fee arrangement is not warranted as a business risk,
or does not accept a fee. However, fee
arrangements are private matters; Peter does not
identify any clients as pro bono clients, or describe
any legal efforts as pro bono activities.

Legal work is legal work; a lawyer
owes the same level of responsibility to a client
regardless of how much he is getting paid. Large law firms who
typically represent major corporations may benefit
by claiming that they are performing a public
service by representing the very poor.
However, Peter does not represent rich corporate
interests, and a significant portion of his paying
clients would have a legitimate complaint if Peter
represented someone pro bono while charging them.

There are awards given for lawyers
who do more than a certain number of hours of pro bono
work in a year, and lawyers are encouraged to keep
records of how much time they spend doing pro bono
work.Peter refuses to
play this game; it would insult not only the pro bono
clients, but also clients of moderate means who are
struggling to pay legal bills.

There are cases that are worth
taking, either because the cause is important, the
legal principle is of particular interest, or because
the client is a particularly sympathetic person in
need of representation.If
Peter accepts a case, he devotes himself to it and
does not expect, want, or is willing to accept, any
special recognition because of the level of
compensation that he is receiving.

International Efforts

Mongolia
Served as legal advisor in 2011 to the Center for
Human Rights and Development, a Mongolian
environmental and civil rights non-governmental
organization opposing irresponsible mining, developed
first law student clinic devoted to public interest
litigation, and conducted legal training program for
Mongolian lawyers. The photograph at the top of this
page shows Peter standing with the students.

Lawyers Without Borders
Provided assistance to non-governmental organizations
in developing countries in 2002-2003

Litigation Activities

Electronic Frontier FoundationAct as local counsel for national civil rights
organization in its efforts to quash subpoena served
by Chevron Corporation. Chevron is seeking information
regarding anyone who may have communciated with Steven
Donziger, who Peter regards as a legal hero because of
his efforts on behalf of rural Ecuadorians suffering
from severe pollution caused by multinational oil
companies (2013).

Clarksville CommunityRepresent Town of New Scotland and
cross-section of individuals, local businesses and
civic organizations in successful litigation,
resulting in the reversal of the U.S.Postal Service's
determination to close the Clarksville Post
Office (2011-2012)

New York Civil Liberties Union
Served as member of the Board of the Capital District
Chapter from 2005 - 2007, and remain a member of the
Legal Committee. Acted as local counsel in a First
Amendment case challenging a sign ordinance in federal
court. Also won the dismissal of all criminal
charges against a member of "Billionaires for Bush,"
who was arrested during a demonstration in Saratoga
Springs.

National Employment Lawyers Association
Wrote amicus brief for professional organization in a
case before Michigan appellate court, Burns v. City of Detroit
in 2002, successfully
arguing
that a sexual harasser's "speech" is not
constitutionally protected.

Government Accountability ProjectActed as local counsel in Bordell v. General
Electric in 1989 challeging GE's policy on
classified information.

GreenpeaceRepresented
two
Greenpeace activists who climbed on to the roof of
State Capitol in 1987 to hang banner reading "Niagara
River: still toxic after all these years. Why Governor
Cuomo?" Activists were charged with felonies for
"crime" of insulting thin-skinned Governor. Was
able to plea-bargain charges down to Violations.

Nipponzan
Myohoji, Grafton Sangha
Act as attorney for Board, and handle miscellaneous
legal matters including incorporation, immigration
issues, land use and real property matters for local
Buddhist Peace Pagoda that has constructed a 100
foot high stupa (peace pagoda) on an 11 acre site in
Rensselaer County, New York (1989 - present)

Bethlehem
Neighbors for Peace
Incorporate local organization and provide legal
advice as needed

Rainbow
Alliance for Clean Environment
Provide legal advice and represent environmental
organization in Gloversville and Fulton County, New
York, a community dominated by the leather
industry, in numerous matters from 1984 to the
present.

Miscellaneous
Assistance

Occupy Albany
Provide support for ad hoc group protesting conditions
in United States as member of Legal Committee
(2011-2012)

Albany County Legislature
Provide extensive analysis (3000 word newspaper article
in Altamont Enterprise) of misfeasance and
non-feasance of Legislature and County Executive
in settlement of reapportionment lawsuit in 2015